Between the Lanterns Read Online Free Page B

“Oh, and Miss Sam, could you also please put his first slice of pie on my tab, too. I’ll take care of that. I’ve got plenty of Credit from Montek to cover it, after all.”
    Samantha sure liked the sound of that. Now she wouldn’t have to lie to Tara or pay out of her tips for that pie. Today was turning out to be a great day, just like John said.  
    “You got it, sweets,” she answered. “Coming right up, you two. Y’all get back to your chat.”
    After the big meal, the fabulous dessert, and the wonderful conversation, John decided it was probably time to head back home to Columbus. He had work tomorrow, and he couldn’t afford to miss it.  
    “August,” he said with genuine compassion, “I truly appreciate what you did for me today, son. I know it wasn’t your Credit, but you didn’t have to share it with me and yet you did. In my book, that makes you a damn fine human bein’. It was a right pleasure to meet you and talk with you. I wish you nothin’ but the best of luck for the rest of your life.”
    August, touched deeply by John’s gratefulness, fought back the wetness threatening to fill his eyes. It meant the world to him to have helped this kind old man. Particularly with the bond they shared over chocolate pie and The Countdown.  
    “John, if I could I would have the same lunch with you every day for the rest of my life,” August told him honestly. “You are a gem amongst the dirt, sir. I thank you for lettin’ me sit and chat with you today.”
    They shook hands and, exchanged a nod and a smile, and then John left the diner to make his way back to Columbus. August patted his adequately swelled belly, and gave a, “hoo!” of satisfaction.
    “I take it you’re full, Mr. August?” Samantha asked, after saying goodbye to John as he left.  
    The diner had emptied out while the two men had slowly enjoyed their meal. Watching that had made Samantha euphoric; seeing them talk, laugh, and eat all of that wonderful real food bite by lovely bite. August was now the only person left in the whole diner besides Samantha and Tara.
    “Yes, Sam, I would have to say that I am,” he said with a sigh. “That was very likely the best meal of my entire life. Thank you so much. I’ll take the bill now, or whenever you’re ready.”
    Samantha brought over the Montek.Credit machine to his table and placed it down in front of the handsome, dark-skinned Southern gentleman. Cheryl had once told her that people used to pay with paper money. In fact, Cheryl had held out as long as she could before getting the Montek.Credit machine. It just felt impersonal, she had said. Samantha agreed, but paper money was a thing of days long gone. The only accepted form of currency, on the entire planet, was now Montek.Credit. August pulled out his cellphone and accessed his Credit app.
    “A cellphone?” Samantha exclaimed. “What in the world? I haven’t seen one of those since I was a kid! How can you use it? All the cell towers are long gone, I thought!”
    August turned a little bit red again. People usually made fun of him for using his cell, but he just outright refused to wear a SmartChip. NO THANK YOU, SIR.  
    “Well, I’m a bit of a tinkerer,” August muttered, not making eye contact with the beautiful woman, “and I augmented this old phone to work with the Tesla generator, and then tapped it into the Montek.Communication satellites. It’s, uh, not exactly legal.”
    He waited for the inevitable reproach that always came with this explanation. But it never came this time.
    “That is amazing, sweets!” Samantha said in awe. “I wish I had one of those. I’d take this filthy chip out of me in a heartbeat to have a cell like that.”
    Genuinely surprised, August looked up and locked eyes with Samantha, saying, “Well, I could make you one… if you’d like?”  
    “Really? It wouldn’t be too much trouble?” she asked.  
    When he shook his head no, Samantha added, “That would be amazing,